Digital comics app Omnibus and rising publisher Massive are teaming up for digital fulfillment of Massive’s growing crowdfunding efforts, it was announced today.
Massive’s kickstarter for Zorro: Man Of The Dead was a big success for the publisher, and they’ve now partnered with Omnibus to distribute digital rewards for the campaign.
Starting today, Zorro backers will get a unique code giving them access to issue #1 of the series on the built-in web & tablet reader, a downloadable PDF, and access to a digital library which will store backers’ future digital rewards all in one place. They’ll also get early access to future issues in the series, including on the soon launching Omnibus phone app reader.
Massive has emphasized digital packages in its campaign, and this collaboration enables readers to get their digital rewards directly through the Omnibus reader and access them in their Omnibus digital collection.
“We are approaching the digital reward tier with the same thoughtfulness that we do our physical rewards,” said Massive CEO Michael Calero. “Just like with printing physical books it’s all about finding the right production/distribution partner who brings a level of care and delivers something special to readers. For us, that choice was clear.”
“Through our partnership Backers will be able to access their digital rewards, any time and from any device without needing to keep track of download links or files,” said Omnibus CEO Travis Schmeisser. “We can also easily provide custom digital bonus content to backers in the same app.”
Massive’s Kevin Roditelli pointed out that digital fulfillment is especially useful for those who lives in places where shipping is expensive. “As someone who lives in Canada, shipping costs can be 4x the tier price. For that reason, most of the time I pledge at the digital level. A lot of times the feeling as a contributor is that the digital tier is a donation without a true reward. Not having that item to add to your collection can make you feel left out of the community experience. The PDF is sent somewhere and I lose it forever in the abyss of my other downloads! With Omnibus, our goal is to turn digital backing into an experience as inclusive and exciting as physical backing. Every supporter deserves equal treatment. Their dollars are just as important to bring your dream projects to life.”
Omnibus launched as an an iPad and desktop app last year, and has signed up with multiple publishers, including Image, IDW, Dark Horse and many more. An iPhone version fo the app is coming later this year. In the wake of the dismantling of Comixology, it’s been seen as a major player in the continued availability of digital comics. Teaming for digital crowdfunding rewards with Massive is just another step in that growth.
Massive itself continues to grow, as befits its name. Sean Murphy’s Kickstarter campaign for Zorro was one of the Top 20 most funded projects in Kickstarter’s “Comic Books” category, raising over $302,000 via nearly 2700 backers. The First issue of Zorro: Man Of The Dead #1 is available in comics shops starting today. Massive is distributed to the book market through Simon & Schuster.
